During an interview on CBS's 'Face The Nation' discussed the dysfunction and gridlock in Washington.

Panetta: Washington 'at its worst'

By TREVOR EISCHEN

10/12/2014 11:27 AM EDT

President Barack Obama and everyone in Washington must "get into the ring" to stop gridlock in the nation's capital, Leon Panetta says.

The former CIA director and defense secretary has recently criticized his former boss's policies and leadership style in his new book, "Worthy Fights: A Memoir." The White House isolates presidents, he said in an interview aired Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation," and limits the amount of advice and perspective a chief executive can gather before making important policy decisions. He says he welcomes the idea of Obama bringing in new blood to the White House after the midterm elections.

In his book, Panetta makes comments about how Obama "approaches things like a law professor in presenting a logic of his position." While he agrees that it's good to have "a president who thinks through the issues," Panetta said it's not enough to make a great and effective commander in chief.

"Presidents need to also have a heart of a warrior," Panetta said. "That's the way you get things done ... to engage in a fight."

Panetta also slammed Congress for contributing to the dysfunction.

"Having been in this town close to 50 years, I've seen Washington at its best and Washington at its worst," Panetta said. "Right now, I think it's Washington at its worst because of the gridlock and stalemate that's involved in this town."

"At a time when we're facing major issues in this country, there's a certain sense that both parties have kind of given up on going after those issues and dealing with them," Panetta said. "This country cannot tolerate another two years of stalemate."